Chao, Mama
A stylish hostel in easy reach of the city centre with bright, modern interiors, offering sophisticated dorms and apartments sleeping up to four. There’s a fully equipped kitchen for guests’ use and a small communal area with table football and board games.
Location
7 / 10
The hostel is located a 15-20 minute walk west of Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main artery, which means most main sights can be reached on foot, including the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest museums in the world. The historic Mariinksy Theatre is about 900 yards away, while St Isaac’s Cathedral, with its spectacular gilded dome and opulent interiors, is 800 yards north; it’s possible to climb up to the church’s outside colonnade, which offers unparalleled views of the city.
Style and Character
9 / 10
Chao, Mama feels more like a boutique hotel than a hostel. Interiors are stylish and modern, featuring grey and white bare-brick walls decorated with black and white photographic prints. Apartment guests are given their own key to access the premises via a separate door, ensuring plenty of privacy.
Service and Facilities
8 / 10
Reception is open between 9am and midnight. There’s a small communal area with table football and board games. Airport transfers and bike rental can be organised, and there are storage lockers for guests. Staff are friendly and happy to help with suggestions on restaurants and sights.
- Wi-Fi
Rooms
9 / 10
Spotless dorm rooms feature sturdy slate-grey bunk beds and under-bed lockers. Each bed has its own privacy curtain and electricity socket. Dorm room guests have access to a fully-equipped communal kitchen. There are a number of spacious apartments sleeping two to four. I stayed in the Deluxe Gandhi Apartment, which accommodates four.
The décor here is a melange of modern (bare-brick walls, chrome wire clothes rack) and, as the name suggests, ethnic (low-hanging Moroccan-style lanterns, a wooden sun-shaped mirror and gold-coloured soap dispensers in the bathroom). The apartment is fully equipped with ironing board, washing machine and hairdryer. There are also two television sets, Bluetooth speakers, and a modern kitchen with dishwasher, Nespresso machine, cooking hobs and microwave.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is not provided, though there’s a communal kitchen where guests can cook their own meals. Apartments all have kitchenettes. There’s a supermarket conveniently located a stone’s throw from the hotel, and plenty of restaurants a short walk away.
Value for Money
10 / 10
Dorm rooms from R700 (£7), apartments from R6000 (£62) in low season; rising to R1100 (£11) and R15000 (£156) respectively in high. Breakfast excluded. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?
No.
Family-Friendly?
Yes. The self-catering apartments are ideal for families. Cots are available, and the hostel has a small games area with table football, board games and children’s books.
Grazhdanskaya ulitsa 27/30, St Petersburg, Russia.
